SB 160, sponsored by state Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, “prohibits a person from knowingly having in his or her possession, custody, or control an obscene, child-like sex doll.” State Rep. Michael Gottlieb, D-Plantation, filed a companion measure in the Florida House.
“These are anatomically correct, lifelike silicone dolls that are eerily similar to real human children made for the sole purpose of sexual gratification,” Book said in a statement from her office following the bill’s approval. “Just as viewing child pornography lowers the inhibitions of child predators, so do these childlike sex dolls that have no place in the state of Florida.”
A legislative analysis found that many child-like sex dolls are imported from China, Japan and Hong Kong, the Associated Press reports.
While supporters of the bill say owning the dolls should be treated like possession of child pornography, others claim the dolls could prevent pedophiles from acting on their impulses with real children.
Violation of the law is a third-degree felony. Subsequent violations are being deemed second-degree felonies.
The law goes into effect Oct. 1.
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This article appears in May 22-28, 2019.